Wow-zah!!

First off, let me do a little back-tracking because I can't remember if I posted this and I am too lazy to go looking back thru old posts. The last time we were in Houston for Riley's doctor visit, they increased the amount of 6MP (her nightly chemo pill) by a total of 1 extra pill per week, due to her repeatedly high ANC. Her ANC, or absolute neutrophil count, should typically be anywhere between 750 & 1,500 to keep her out of the danger zone. Anything lower makes her neutropenic, and gives her a greater chance of catching any little bug or virus...anything higher means her body has adjusted to the chemo, which we also don't want. Riley's ANC had been running in the 2 to 3 thousands for about 2 months...hence, the increase in her 6MP.
Last week Riley had her blood counts checked, like we do every 2 weeks after her Houston visit...and her ANC was 120. This low ANC meant we had to basically put her on lock down and keep her away from any large crowds or sick people...to help keep her well. I didn't post anything last week, because I just knew as soon as I did she would get a fever...in turn awarding her direct admission into the hospital. So, the plan was made to hold off on all her home meds and recheck her counts in 1 week...which would be today. So, this morning I brought Riley & Hayden (a treat in and of itself) up here to have her counts rechecked, and her ANC today...2,020. Wow! Because it rebounded so quickly, they blamed it on the increase in meds. That is just crazy. You wouldn't think that 1 little pill, split over 2 days, would have that much of an affect on someone...just goes to show how powerful these medicines are. I am just so thankful that we survived the dreaded week of neutropenia with no fevers!!! The plan now is to start back up her meds at half dose, and see where she is next week...keep your fingers crossed!!

Happy Birthday Aunt Nenni

Today my older and wiser seester Jen(a.k.a Aunt Nenni) turns, well...older and wiser! Hope you have a funtastic bday water weekend...we miss you & love you!!

Swim Class

Rynna, Riley & Katie started swimming lessons on Tuesday, and they are already pros

diving for rings


Go Katie!

Rynna swims through the ring

I just thought this was a cute pic of Katie...but then I realized it shows Riley going underwater like a rock star!!

Be sure to scroll down to see the multiple picture posts I put up today!

All things Hayden

I know this is technically supposed to be a blog about Riley's battle with Leukemia, but I decided it was time to show Hayden some love too. It still amazes me how fast he is growing up...and there's no stopping him now!

He LOVES his boots...it's a constant battle every morning to get him to wear any shoe other than his boots. Sometimes it's just not worth the fight! (and I'm not sure why he has a bracelet on his leg...actually, I'm not sure why he does the majority of what he does!)

A boy and his truck...

Okay...maybe just 1 or 2 of the princess...

Graduation Day!

Yesterday was Riley's last day of Pre-K, and they had a little program in church before their "graduation". Their class sang a few songs, and then the Kindergarten students had their graduation.

This was Riley on her first day of Pre-K

and this was Riley on her last day of Pre-K!

Riley getting her certificate from Father John and Mr. Smolik

Mrs. Bludau, Riley's teacher...whom we love and will miss!

Dance Recital Pictures

Last weekend was Riley's dance recital, and I couldn't get any good action shots from where I was sitting...but here are some from afterwards.

Katie and Riley

Aunt Carol came to watch Riley dance, and she FINALLY let me get a shot of her cute little preggo belly...is she not the most adorable baby making machine you've ever seen?! If only we knew what was in there baking...pink or blue!!!

Looking back...

It is so hard to believe that this was Riley at this time last year...she thought her hair would never come back. It has definitely come back, and with a vengeance. Thinking back to this time last year, we were so happy to finally be starting the Maintenance phase of Riley's treatments. Now, we are so happy to finally be on the downhill slope...only 7 more months to go!! It's crazy to think how fast this time has gone, although at times it feels like time is standing still...and most of those times occur during steroid week!! I am just so thankful that everything has gone our way, and Riley is the healthy, bossy little toot that she is.
Not sure what brought on my nostalgic mood, but thanks for indulging it. We have a fun weekend planned...tomorrow night is Riley's dance recital and she is raring to go!! Next Wednesday is Riley's last day of school....Summer, here we come!!

With a cherry on top...

Because you can never have too many cute little cherry pictures, here are some from Friday night after the Coronation.

Posing by the queen's train

Ms. Cherry and her biggest fan...

We hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day! I got the best present I could have asked for...a nap!! It was much needed after a busy, busy weekend.

Parade Pictures

Riley had a blast in the Maifest parade this morning, and was the cutest cherry ice cream topping you ever did see!!

Tonight is the Maifest coronation, so expect more pics tomorrow!!

Clinic time again...

We enjoyed partaking in another fun and action-packed weekend. First off, we introduced Riley to the world of pampering yourself, by treating her to her first pedicure. I say pedicure, but all they did was file and paint her toenails. She was beyond ecstatic when they put the "diamond" in the middle of the flower they painted on her big toe...of course by the end of the weekend these toenails were in pretty rough shape, but the diamonds are still in place. It's the simple things in life!! The kids and I also enjoyed 2 birthday parties...Action-Jackson turned 3 on Saturday, and Addison turned 2 on Sunday. I didn't take any pictures, but they sure are 2 little cuties.
Riley and I capped off our weekend of fun with her monthly clinic visit. We stayed Sunday night at the hotel across the street, and even took a little dip in the pool. This may or may not have been a good idea, because now she is going to expect it every time...and it is rare when we arrive at the hotel early enough to do anything before having to go to bed. Riley's clinic visit went great...it was her spinal tap visit, and I was dreading the long day. But, once we got in a room and they accessed Riley's port, things went surprisingly fast. Her appointment was at 10:15, and we were on the road by 2:00...that never happens!! Her counts were okay...her white count was a little low at 2,300, but her ANC was high at 2,000. They like to see her ANC stay anywhere between 750 and 1,500, and when it stays above this after a couple of check-ups it shows that her meds need to be adjusted...usually due to their growth spurts. So, they decided to raise the amount of her nightly chemo pill to try and even this out. We will see if it works!!

Oh, and all you Brenhamites - Riley's going to be in the Junior Maifest parade this Friday, so be looking for the cutest little Cherry topping on a Hot Fudge Sundae you have ever seen!!!! Pictures to follow...I promise! For all you non-brenhamites...the Maifest is a big yearly celebration where they pick a king and queen (the junior ones are little kids, and the senior ones are high school age) and create a theme for each. Then they create costume ideas for those themes...for the parade and that night will be a coronation. This years Junior Maifest theme is something with Candyland...hence the hot fudge sundae.

Have a great week!!

Oops...

To quote Hayden "Mommy, Pops broke your car!!" Pops hit a line drive with his weedeater, and my back windshield caught the rock. I thought it was fairly amusing...Pops didn't. Just goes to show how dangerous projectile rocks can be...he was over 50 feet away when it happened.

More birthday wishes...

Today my brother-in-law Justin (Shelby's hubs) turned a whopping 24 years old...isn't it sad when you start to think 24 is so young!!

Happy Birthday Uncle Justin!! Hope you have a wonderful day, we love you!!

Birthday wishes!!

Today my little sister turned a whopping 24 years old...oh, to be young again!!

Happy Birthday Aunt Shelby!! We love you!!

Just because...

Poor Ace...we took him to be groomed in Hallettsville for the first time. We asked for a "bichon cut"...which is a shorter version of the cut he has in the picture above. Instead he now looks like what you see below...poor Ace!!